Armed Forces Day Celebration

Story and Photos By Jeanette White - Sunday May 22nd, 2005

WINDSOR - A Carolina blue sky, hot barbecue and the sound of a great band warming up greeted visitors at the Salute to Soldiers yesterday, at Historic Hope Plantation.

The North Carolina Army National Guard Band

This first Salute To Soldiers on Armed Forces Day was sponsored by Bertie County Arts Council after members looked for a way to say thank you to men and women who have served or are serving in the military. Entertainment for the night came from the North Carolina Army National Guard Band, the 440th Army Band. They played mostly American and patriotic songs during the first part of the night and the music rocked toward the end of the evening.

Among the veterans who listened to the music were some who served in WWII .... as well as young men like Sgt. Jonathon Eric Taylor, formerly of Merry Hill and now serving at Al Tigh Army Base in Iraq. The visit home was bittersweet for Sergeant Taylor, who visited his loved ones, but also attended the funeral of his grandmother, Flo Harper of Merry Hill.

Bertie County Arts Council's Vice-President Shannon Jennette (from left, seated), U.S. Navy Commander (Ret.) Sherwood Rawls and his wife, Becky, talk with visitors

Visitors had a chance to look at old military weaponry at one exhibit and to greet veterans who used similar weaponry. Barbecued pork meals and homemade shortcake were a big hit with visitors.

One interesting exhibit table held relics from the military's past

Bertie County Commission Chairman Rick Harrell, Commissioners Norman Cherry and Wallace Perry, Lewiston Woodville Commissioner Dayle Vaughan and Windsor Mayor Robert "Bob" Spivey helped serve the barbecue.

Bertie County Commissioners (from left) Rick Harrell, chairman, Wallace Perry and Norman Cherry, serving barbecue

BCAC President welcomed visitors to the Salute and introduced the two speakers, U.S. Navy Commander Sherwood Rawls, Ret., and Brigadier General David L. Jennette, both men from Bertie County.

Commander Rawls spoke briefly after saying any good speaker follows the three-B rule, be brilliant, be brief and be gone. He explained how the Marines, Army, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard each had its own day of recognition. But President Harry S. Truman led an effort to establish a single holiday for the public to thank all military members. The Coast Guard was not included in the designation. The celebration was named Armed Forces Day, always the third Saturday in May, when cities around the nation honor past and present sacrifices with ceremonies and parades.

Then Brigadier General David L. Jennette spoke about the National Guard, its history, its programs and its goals.

The Junior ROTC of Bertie High School presented the colors as the band played the National Anthem.

Bertie County Arts Council expressed appreciation to its volunteers, any other person or company who helped make this celebration a reality.